Rice MBA Students Meet George Soros on NYC Trip

Thirty first-year Rice MBA students had an opportunity to meet financier and philanthropist George Soros during the annual “Week on Wall Street” to New York City on October 13 -17, 2008. The Rice MBA Finance Club and the Jones School’s Career Planning Center, partnered to offer the trek to students interested in previewing and pursuing careers in investment banking.

During a visit with Soros Fund Management, LLC chief investment officer Keith Anderson, an ’83 Rice MBA alumnus (and co-founder of BlackRock), Mr. Soros made an appearance offering perspectives on the current state of the economy. He said, “the key fact [regarding the economy] is that the current financial crisis is a storm generated within the financial system itself” and “the financial system requires a total paradigm shift.”

All company representatives seem to agree that despite the tough financial times ahead, this is an exciting time to be a part of the U.S. financial system. In upcoming years, one could expect several new professional opportunities to come out of system revisions.

“The Week on Wall Street is a premier event that helps students learn a great deal about the finance industry first hand from professionals working in the world’s financial capital. This trek was especially insightful considering the financial crisis, “said Deanna Fuehne, director of the Career Management Center.

“Fortunately, the Jones School has always had a great relationship with investment banks as many have operations in Houston in order to service the energy business,” she added.

In addition to BlackRock and Soros, Rice MBA students also met with companies including Citi, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Merrill Lynch, Moelis & Company, and UBS.